Image via Complex Original
Tomorrow marks the official end of summer, so it's time to welcome the cooler weather with open arms. That means sweatshirts and jackets come out of storage, boots get dusted off, and you get to cop a bunch of new fall/winter gear. Warm weather and sunshine are great and all, but when it comes to style, the summer's got nothing on fall.
You know why that is? Because of the numerous options to look dope. Having the opportunity to wear more clothing means more ways to be fly. Don't believe us? Here are 25 Reasons Fall Is Better For Style.
Men Start Dressing Like Men Again
Gone are the bright colors and floral patterns that characterize summer wear. Fall is a time for subtler colors like olive, navy, and gray. While those take precedent, there are still ways to incorporate a bit of pop in your wardrobe, like rocking low-key floral shirts under blazers or jackets, or opting for patterns like polka dots or camo.
It's The Perfect Time To Start Rocking Waxed Canvas
Waxed canvas is like denim and leather's cousin from the country. Seen on gear like Filson bags and jackets from companies like Belstaff, it develops a nice sheen with wear and use known as a patina, and when broken in, can look really sick. So start using those bags and wearing those coats as soon as you feel a slight breeze, because they could look really sick at the end of the season.
Digging Up Old Cold Weather Gear Is Like Shopping All Over Again
There's no better time to edit your wardrobe and figure out what you need to replace and get rid of like the beginning of fall. Chances are, you'll come up on a piece you didn't even remember you had and have an "oh shit!" moment when you re-realize how dope it is.
Down Vests Never Go Out Of Style
The down vest goes with more than you think. Consider throwing it over a denim jacket, or a more tailored ensemble like this guy. Transitional weather like the fall is really when you'll get the most wear out of this piece, so really just go for it.
Beards Are Back
In the summer, a thick beard is totally uncomfortable and can make other people hot just by looking at you. When the weather starts to cool, it's not only acceptable to grow one out—it's encouraged.
RELATED: Summer Style Mistakes Guys Make, And How To Fix Them
It's Easier For Fat People To Stunt
If you've got a little more to love, it's no problem looking fly. It's the complete opposite of going to the beach—you can make people think you're hot by dressing up! Zach Galifianakis is by no means waifish, but his eccentric style makes him look cool without putting him in well-cut suits all the time. It's all about knowing your body and getting the fit right.
You Get To Wear Socks Again
While you might have done away with them while it was hot, socks make a comeback for the cooler months and can provide a little more pop in your style. Patterned socks like HUF's Plantlife series add a quirky vibe to any kit.
It's Easier To Experiment With Your Wardrobe
Cooler weather means you can really play with proportion and layers. Throw on a long tee under a crewneck sweatshirt, or consider rocking a topcoat with a casual outfit. Maybe you've never worn your Jordans with chinos. Hell, take a cue from A$AP Rocky and see if you can rock fur! There's plenty of ways to mix and match unconventionally.
You Save Money On Laundry
The gear you'll be wearing a lot hardly ever needs to go in the hamper. You're not washing your raw denim for another six months, you don't launder your tweed sportcoats, and you pretty much never wash leather jackets.
No Summer = No Sweat
Dressing light for summer is necessary because if you live in a place like New York, it's incredibly humid and gross outside… and even worse in the subway. Come autumn, you don't have to worry about ruining your crispy kit because it's no longer going to be 150 degrees on the street. No sweating means no gross pit-stains or backpack sweat on your shirts.
Vintage Shopping Is Better
Vintage shopping for summer gear usually involves a lot of T-shirts and searching for cool shorts… but in fall, you can look for vintage army jackets, leather jackets, old Levi's jeans, and Pendleton shirts. It's a lot easier to come up on something that you might actually wear all season long.
RELATED: 10 Awesome Vintage Clothing Finds
Scarves Can Make An Outfit
Lots of people try to make summer scarves work, but they are totally unnecessary and end up looking gaudy. Scarves when it's cold are just normal. Use one to add some color or pattern to you look, or go monochrome to pull you whole 'fit together.
Wool, Tweed, Cashmere, Corduroy, And Other Winter Fabrics Add More Texture
Cold weather fabrics are sick! And no, we're not just talking about technical stuff like GORE-TEX, although that can be pretty dope. But traditional fall fabrics like wool, tweed, and corduroy add a welcome dose of texture to your clothes, and instantly add an old-school, grown man appeal to any outfit.
You Get To Spend The Money You Saved All Summer On New Gear
You weren't spending money on clothing all summer, since you didn't need new things like jackets, boots, or winter accessories like scarves. We're not saying go crazy, but you can definitely afford to splurge a little on fall gear you're going to rock the hell out of.
Start Wearing Your Leather Jacket Now And Don't Stop Until Next Summer
Leather jackets are the shit. Throw them on over a T-shirt and sneakers for a foolproof badass look, or wear them with boots and a denim shirt to infuse even more ruggedness into your workwear look. However you wear one, they always look better when they're a little beat-up. So whether you cop a worn-in vintage one, or choose to break it in yourself, the sooner your start rocking it, the better.
Fall Is The Time To Break In New Raw Denim
If you're in need of a new pair of jeans, now's the perfect time to buy them. By now, you should be familiar with raw denim, the unwashed kind of jean that fades and conforms to your body over time. Start wearing them while the weather is forgiving, and they'll get a beating when winter comes, so that by summer, you should have broken in a comfortable, well-worn pair of jeans. Then you can cop a new pair next fall and start all over.
Flannel Is Back
Whether you choose the old school route with a vintage Pendleton, or a modern version from brands like J. Crew or Gitman Vintage, flannel shirts keep you covered. Doubling as a light jacket, you can rock them over your favorite tees, or take a cue from last season's trend and tie one around your waist.
You Can Hide Your Awkward Body Under Dope Outerwear
Do you have a weird torso or extremely long legs? Well, you can cover it up all season long. While summer is unforgiving to people with weird proportions, colder seasons are much more lenient. Take Jonah Hill for example. He definitely couldn't pull off a tank top, but this motorcycle jacket makes him look pretty badass.
You Can Still Just Rock A T-Shirt And Jeans
Transitional weather is great because there are times when the sun is still shining bright and you can pick up lunch or a coffee while just wearing a T-shirt and jeans. Just keep a hoodie with you and you're set. Accessorizing with a long chain is optional.
Fall Designer Collections Are Always Better
Menswear has roots in practicality. Men's clothing was generally made to withstand things like hunting, sailing, and the army, which is how we got staples like peacoats, chore jackets, denim, and M-65s. Even subcultures like punks and street culture have appropriated outerwear pieces like varsity and motorcycle jackets, so it's fitting that during cold weather seasons, designer labels like Public School really shine in reinterpreting these wardrobe staples and mixing them with new fits and influences.
Boots Can Completely Change How An Outfit Looks
Jeans and chinos are awesome, but pairing them with boots instead of your go-to sneakers definitely gives them a different, more rugged vibe. Tired of the ones you bought last year? If you invested in a good pair, you don't have to throw them out, Just get them resoled for a whole new look.
Shorts Are Great When It's Hot, But They Never Look Cool
Pants are just cooler. Shorts may regulate your temperature, but let's face it, dudes' legs are meant to be used and not seen. No one wants to see your ashy kneecaps or pasty shins. You get a pass when it's hot as hell outside. Now that summer's over, please, put the shorts away.
Beanies And Other Hats Come Back
Wearing a beanie in the summer makes you look like a dickhead, but when the mercury drops below 60 degrees, it becomes an acceptable accessory. The best part is that you don't have to put your summer caps away, you can keep rocking the bucket hats and lightweight five-panels and snapbacks, but now you can also throw in wool caps, beanies, and pom beanies into the mix.
More Layers Mean More Ways To Wear Your Clothes
You've never had so many options to rock your gear. Should you throw a cardigan or zip-up hoodie over that tee? Should you wear your M-65 jacket or denim jacket over that sweatshirt? There's so many different looks to put together, which means more room to express yourself.
Hooded Sweatshirts Always Look Cool
We're all about hoodie weather, and it's finally here. Some days it's mild enough just to wear one by itself, and other days you're gonna have to throw it underneath a jacket, which actually just opens up your style options even more.